A claSS of methodS for Sharing a data tranSmiSSion medium in which hoStS tranSmit aSSoon aS they have data to Send and then check to See whether their tranSmiSSion haSSuffered a colliSion with another hoSt' S. If a colliSion iS detected then the data muSt be reSent. The reSending algorithm Should try to minimiSe the chance that two hoStS' S data will repeatedly collide. For example, the CSMA/CD protocol uSed on EthernetSpecifieS that they Should then wait for a random time before re-tranSmitting. See alSo backoff. ThiS contraStS with Slotted protocolS and token paSSing. (1997-03-18)
